"As Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) aims to enhance its position in the global marketplace, global energy challenges are increasingly jeopardizing short- and long-term economic prosperity and sustainability. At the same time, and if addressed jointly, these challenges could represent a unique opportunity for all the countries in the region.By recognizing the common historical, cultural and economic heritage of CEE and co-operating on a regional level, CEE can leverage economies of scale and scope to better identify and develop competences, effective technologies and attract regional and international financing to implement solutions to its most pressing energy challenges – this is the message promoted by the Regional Energy Forum.
Following the success of the First Regional Energy Forum held in Budapest, Hungary in 2007, the Second Regional Energy Forum will again bring together global and regional experts and senior-level representatives from major stakeholder groups in CEE. Along with participants from the private, public, civic, government and media sectors the forum will share best practices and identify common actions to further advance regional co-operation on critical energy challenges.
Among the key topics that will be addressed in the form of interactive strategic sessions, roundtables and plenary sessions during the forum are:
1. What are the implications of the EU’s 20-20-20 regulation in the face of CEE’s increasing demand for energy?
2. Which technologies or alternative sources of energy provide the greatest opportunities for CEE as a region to manage or meet its increasing demand for energy?
3. What are the efficiency, security and sustainability implications of the fragmented nature of the region’s energy market, and what are the obstacles to and the benefits of a regional energy market?
4. Which strategies can the region leverage to better attract financing for projects that address energy deficits and ensure supply sustainability?
Among the speakers invited to address these issues are:
• Ferenc Gyurcsány, Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary
• Matthias Ruete, General Director at European Commission for Transport & Energy Directorate
• John Rice, Vice Chairman of GE and President & CEO of GE Infrastructure
• György Mosonyi, CEO of MOL
• Peter Kiss, Partner, Energy and Utilities Advisory Services KPMG in Central and Eastern Europe
• András Vinkovits, CEO of Mavir
• Chris Hurst, Director of the Energy and Transport Department of the European Investment Bank
• Dr. Gábor Szörényi, Chairman of ERRA
• Márta Bonifert Szigeti, Executive Director of Regional Environmental Center (REC)
• George F. Babcoke, Senior Vice President-European Operations and President, US Steel Kosice
• Samuele Furfari, Deputy-Head of Unit, Regulatory Policy and Promotion of New Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, Energy and Transport DG, European Commission
• Péter Kaderják, Director, Regional Center for Energy Policy Research
• Ministers responsible for energy from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Ukraine
Who Should Attend
The Second Regional Energy Forum is a must for senior representatives from all stakeholder groups dealing with or affected by energy issues in CEE and wishing to update and share their knowledge on critical global and regional trends.
More importantly, the forum is for leaders who want to make a difference and are convinced that global challenges, through a series of dialogues and the promotion of long-term regional cooperations and partnerships, can be turned into a unique opportunity for CEE in the global marketplace."
More details and registration form from the source: energycee.org
10.09.2008